RESPECT Campaign

Respect is the collective responsibility of everyone involved in football to create a fair, safe and enjoyable environment in which the game can take place. These are some of the outcomes from the 2010-11 season.

Referee recruitment and retention

The total number of referees is 28405 an increase of 5 per cent from 2010.

There are 6,000 more referees than in 2008 Quantity and quality – Accompanied by Referee Development Officers, Referee mentoring, Referee academies, Improved IT support.

The Referee’s experience – Respect marks were collected for 24,000 games from 4,500 referees.

Average marks was 4 out of 5.

Overall most match officials have an enjoyable experience of officiating and are treated with respect by most participants.

On field discipline

Overall across the Football League and Premier League dissent has fallen by 16 per cent since 2008/09.

Since 2008/09 Dissent has declined across the 15 senior leagues and divisions by 16 per cent.

The number of misconduct charges such as ‘Surrounding a match official’ or Technical area offences also fell in comparison to 2010/11.

Assaults on referees

Although there has been a decline in the most serious cases of assault by 15 per cent the number of incidences of improper conduct towards Referees has risen by 25 per cent. Some of this will reflect the increased number of match officials and reports being submitted. The key message remains however that it is never acceptable to confront a referee in any way.

Experience of the game

In The FA’s annual Grassroots Survey 56 per cent of respondents reported that their experience of the game had improved as a result of measures introduced through the Respect programme – up from 40 per cent in 2009-10.

The same survey ranked ‘Continuing to implement the Respect Programme’ as the third highest priority for The FA to attend to behind ‘Improving facilities’ and ‘A qualified referee for every organised game’.

Support within the game

40,000 FA coaches and Referees have received Respect training 854 leagues have signed up and committed themselves to Respect.

Respect Awards

The FA has launched a rewards scheme to help tackle the ugly side of the game, and is accepting nominations from the football public.

The new Respect Awards recognise the selfless work being done by football’s volunteer league administrators who implement and promote The FA’s Respect programme at the grassroots level.